Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act Introduced

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have introduced the Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at improving Medicare beneficiaries' access to licensed clinical social workers. This legislation seeks to expand the number of mental health providers available to Delaware's seniors by allowing licensed clinical social workers to participate in the Medicare program when delivering services in skilled nursing facilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act would improve Medicare beneficiaries' access to licensed clinical social workers by allowing them to participate in the Medicare program when delivering services in skilled nursing facilities.
  • The bill would expand the number of mental health providers available to seniors in Delaware, providing them with hope and improving their mental health.
  • The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Delaware Health Care Facilities Association have expressed their support for the bill, citing its potential to improve access to mental health services for Medicare beneficiaries.
  • The bill would also enable seniors to access desperately needed mental health services, which is critical to their health and well-being.

Statistics:

  • Delaware has an estimated 150,000 seniors who would benefit from expanded Medicare coverage for licensed clinical social workers (Source: Senator Chris Coons).
  • The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has over 57,000 members, including many who work with Medicare beneficiaries (Source: NASW).
  • The Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act would remove a significant barrier to mental health care provided by independent clinical social workers to older adults and people with disabilities in skilled nursing facilities (Source: NASW CEO Anthony Estreet).

Sources:

  • United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
  • WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Delaware Chapter
  • Delaware Health Care Facilities Association
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Wyoming Chapter
  • NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C.